São Tomé and Príncipe resumes petrol sales after nearly two-week shortage
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Stp Press
Petrol and kerosene are once again available at all filling stations in São Tomé and Príncipe, after nearly two weeks of stock shortages. Supplies resumed after a tanker arrived at the port and was unloaded, according to national company ENCO; minister Gareth Guadalupe cited the high cost of imports and the country’s dependence on diesel to generate electricity.
Sales of petrol and kerosene resumed on Thursday 22 October 2026 at all filling stations in São Tomé and Príncipe, ending nearly two weeks of shortages. Fuel became available again after a tanker that had arrived in the waters off Lembá district was unloaded overnight on Wednesday, according to ENCO, the national fuel company, quoted by STP Press.
The Minister of State for the Economy and Finance, Gareth Guadalupe, had acknowledged on Wednesday the difficulties caused to the population by the stock shortage. He said that more than 50% of the cost of the new import concerned diesel, because of the country’s dependence on the fuel for electricity generation.
The government hopes to increase the capacity of solar power connected to the grid to 10 or 11 megawatts by the end of the year. Gareth Guadalupe also announced preparations for a plant to produce gas in São Tomé and Príncipe in order to reduce the use of kerosene.
The resumption comes after several warnings about supplies. A week-long fuel shortage had been announced on 7 October, before the expected duration was extended on 17 October. The arrival of the ship carrying the fuel delivery was subsequently announced on 20 October.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
